Dear Forum Members

Here are the results of the Forum’s June photographic competition.

This month the theme was “Wildlife” and I must say the that quality and diversity of your entries was really amazing from the fairly traditional to the frankly bizarre — yes, I do mean you, Chris (Suiya)! There is no doubt in my mind that some of this work could grace the final list of the BBC Wildlife competition. Whilst none of the rounds have been easy to judge, this one has been tougher than most because of the diversity and the quality. I will reiterate that the final choice I have made is as much personal as it is technical and I believe that the images selected are ones that I would put up on the wall as a work of photographic art.

This time I have chosen six Highly Commended’s and two for Joint Winner. They are as follows:

Highly Commended: SCPhoto — Curious duck

I just love this picture. At first I thought it was taken at ground level — which would have been brilliant, but then realised the duck was on a wall. Either way, it is quirky and funny — ie it raised a positive emotion, which I think is a good thing. It’s a shame the background is slightly distorted — but I couldn’t leave this picture out.

Highly Commended: Daft biker — Civilised evolution

I’m not a great fan of insect shots, as I could not imagine anyone would put them up on the wall, (although I am sure people do) but this image displays such wonderful depth and is so unusual that it had to be commented on. I love the insect at the bottom entering what appears to be a cave with a white bright light, which the eye is drawn to. Does it know another is behind?

Highly Commended: Ian_g — Critter

As I have already stated, insect shots are not something that most people would put on the wall as they often look more ‘scientific’, rather than ‘artistic’. However, the background in Ian_g’s image could almost be described as being impressionistic.

Highly Commended: Datawise — Sweeping majestically across

Is this a genuine picture or the result of some computer manipulation? There is something unreal about this image, but I like it all the same. A linear composition, your eye travels from left to right, it is extremely pleasant viewing.

Highly Commended: Ellie527 — Feed me, Feed me now!

This looks like it has been shot on a bird table, which means anyone could set up a shot like this in their back garden — assuming they have one. The background is beautifully out of focus and I love the diffused greens. Of course it is all about the moment and that has been captured perfectly.

Highly Commended: AAB — This is nuts!

An amazing shot of notoriously wary creature. AAB will have to tell us how he managed this.

Joint Winner: Johnpw — Fox with squirrel

Lets hope this isn’t the same squirrel that AAB captured! Anyway, this is a fantastic image. One of the best wildlife pictures I have ever seen. I love the way the fox is in the centre of the frame and I love the way the background is just a green blur. I hope John tells us how he captured this image — absolutely first rate.

Joint Winner: bagpuss — Cunning as a fox

John’s picture was a stone favourite to be the outright winner until I saw this. I love the low angle of the shot, and the light just touching the head. I love the shape and the way the picture has been framed — nice one.

Conclusion:

A big well done to everyone who took part — I thought that there was some exceptional stuff there. The next theme is Passion and I see that you have already started posting, so I’ll look forward to judging those at the end of the month.

All the best

Garry C-W